Welcome to the 124th insertion of DEMUR®, an analytical series highlighting the intricacies of the artistic world and the minutiae lying within. In this episode, we dive into fashion’s obsession with the New York Yankees ‘NY’ logo, explaining the insignia’s rich history and collective impact.
Sports have always managed to leach into the world of design, but few have retained such cultural relevancy as the MLB’s; New York Yankees. Worn on the heads of celebrities and influencers alike, the infamous NY insignia has quickly become a staple of Americana style. Whether it’s above the brim of a New Era fitted, or on the back of a raglan tee, the symbol is instantly recognizable as a state classic.
But how did it all begin? The logo we know today has a peculiar backstory, tracing to another NYC staple, the New York Police Department. Rewinding to 1849, patrolman Thomas Lynch was responding to a mini-riot inside a drug store when knocked unconscious by a metal pipe. After 14 months, he would ultimately pass in a comatose state, becoming the first NYPD officer to give his life protecting the city.
Years later, Yankee co-owner and Chief Big Bill Devery, Frank J. Farrell, commissioned Louis Tiffany of Tiffany & Co. to create a logo that would commemorate the fallen officer. Originally, the motif was to be placed atop an honorary medal, but would be repurposed as a symbol of unity between the police force and New York’s prized team.
As streetwear rose to new heights of infamy throughout the 90s, we would see fashion’s first adaptations of the motif, heavily prevalent in Supreme apparel. Industry names like The Notorious B.I.G and Jay-Z would aid in the Yankee’s assent, becoming a wardrobe essential for rappers and street personalities alike.
Today, collaborative efforts with luxury houses like Alessandro Michele’s Gucci have skyrocketed New York’s defining emblem. Boosted by a resurgence of Y2K style and appreciation for cult classics like Seinfeld, we watch as the Yankee franchise takes on a brand of its own. Appraised at over $1.8 Billion USD, the team prevails as the most lucrative (and pricy) of its kind.
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